Investigating and prosecuting white-collar and corporate crime : challenges and barriers for national police agencies

Many countries have established national authorities to investigate and prosecute serious and complex white-collar and corporate crime incidents. This article reviews research literature regarding external challenges and barriers for national agencies in Norway (Økokrim), New Zealand (SFO), the United Kingdom (SFO), and the Netherlands (OSF). The policing study in this article is important as it illustrates dilemmas that governments need to address when reviewing their national fraud offices and economic crime authorities. While Økokrim in Norway seems reluctant to prosecute too complex economic crime cases, the SFO in New Zealand attempts prevention of deinstitutionalization, the SFO in the UK might have deterrence effects, while the OSF in the Netherlands is challenged by the private industry of corporate investigators. These are some of the challenges and barriers facing national authorities that are charged with the tasks of investigating and prosecuting white-collar and corporate crime at the national level. The identified challenges and barriers especially related to the convenience theory perspective should enable future research to identify relevant actions.